The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has dismissed claims by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that the Association has been selective in its advocacy and aligned with partisan interests.

Speaking at the opening of the GBA’s Annual General Conference on Monday, September 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine accused the Association of inconsistency in its public responses to Article 146 petitions that resulted in the removal of key public officials.

He pointed to the dismissals of former CHRAJ Commissioner Lauretta Lamptey in 2015, former Electoral Commission Chair Charlotte Osei in 2018, and former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo earlier this year, arguing that while the Bar remained silent on the first two cases, it openly raised concerns over the latter — a posture he said suggested political bias.

Responding, GBA Public Relations Officer Saviour Kudze strongly rejected the Attorney-General’s assertions, insisting that the Association’s position is based on principle, not partisanship.

“The Bar’s position is clear — we respectfully disagree with him,” Kudze said.

“He referenced the removal of Lauretta Lamptey and Charlotte Osei, both under Article 146, when there were no regulations in place.

Yet the processes went on. Several superior court judges have also been removed under the same article without regulations.”

Mr Kudze stressed that the Association’s current call for formal regulations to guide the application of Article 146 is aimed at strengthening due process and constitutional governance.

“If, as a society, we are now deciding to formalise this process and the Bar is advocating for clear regulations, what is partisan about that?” he asked.

“The fact that you didn’t take a certain decision yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t take it today or tomorrow.

We disagree with him.”

The GBA reiterated that its advocacy is focused on institutional maturity and the protection of constitutional order, not the advancement of any political agenda.